Sunday, April 25, 2010

Extra Dish Storage - Sunday Favorites

I'm joining Chari at Happy To Design, who is celebrating her one year birthday with the 52nd Sunday Favorites.  Please join Chari's party by clicking here to see various participant updates from all over blogland.  Chari is also having a great giveaway, so be sure and visit her and check it out.  I'm adding a repost from January 25, 2010 with an alternative to traditional dish storage.

If you have 'dish' love, you probably also have dish storage issues. I have a hall closet full of display items - candleholders, glassware, flatware, etc - and my China Cabinet and buffet server are crammed full so I needed some other options. While I ponder what other closet I can take over, I am using hat boxes to store some of my chargers, plates and salad plates.
I purchase my boxes from Hobby Lobby when they are 50%, which is about every other week. The differant size boxes range in price for 4.99 to 7.49, so at 50% off this is a very reasonable storage alternative. These boxes are just the right sizes for my chargers and plates...the salad plates are a litte small in diameter based upon the smallest box size, so I just stuff empty plastic bags around them so they do not shift as I am moving the boxes around. Use sheets of bubble wrap or tissue between the dishes and stack them inside the containers. Just measure your charger and plates and when you get to HL, pick up the corresponding size....I will probably keep my items stored in these boxes even when I move them to a closet, as this gives the dishes extra protection.


This 14 inch box gives me plenty of room to store ten 9 inch plates...I could use the smaller 10 inch box, but I like having more room around the edges which makes getting the plates out a lot easier.


Just stack the boxes in an empty corner and they provide storage and look good.


You can even use the boxes as a display pedestal.


I keep an inventory list on my computer of all my tabletop display items, plates, flatware, etc along with the date and place I bought the item and any branding or other descriptors (ex. if I buy a silver piece from an Antique shop and it provides the name of the item or a date, I keep that on my list since it is not marked directly on the item). I also add a picture of the item and the quantity. When I need something, I know exactly where it is and how many I have etc. You could also label each of the boxes by using a tag on a string and just tape the string to the inside of the box and let the tag show underneath the lid...you could turn the box so the tag is in the corner and not showing, if using as a display in your room.

I hope this idea helps with some of your storage needs, it has certainly helped me with some much needed clean-up and organization.
All The Best
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10 comments:

Julie Harward said...

I don't have this many dishes...but what a great way to store them! Come say hi :D

Nancy's Notes said...

Great storage ideas, fabulous boxes! I have quite a few boxes and I use them for picture storage.

Thanks for sharing!

Nancy

Blue Creek Home said...

What a great way to organize and decorate too. I love it!
Rhonda

Unknown said...

Love LOVE LOVE the boxes, I like how you used them with the two cute pieces on top. Plus storage.. SUPER GREAT! I am loving damask right now... I am on a huge kick with it. Have a good one, Jenn

Anonymous said...

What great timing for this post. Just today I was thinking I'm going to run out of storage and what am I going to do. You must have read my mind. Love the way the boxes looked all stacked nice and pretty.

Theresa said...

I actually saw this post and used the idea to store my extra dishes! Thanks for the idea! Have a blessed day!

Natasha in Oz said...

This is such a great idea and I love the way you have made a beautiful feature of the boxes.

Thanks for sharing this!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Wanda Lee said...

SUCH A FABULOUS AND VERY ATTRACTIVE STORAGE IDEA FOR YOUR DISHES!.., I ADORE BLACK AND WHITE DAMASK PATTERN, WALLPAPER AND FABRICS!

CHEERS FROM WANDA LEE

Keetha Broyles said...

Oh my!!! Creative, creative!!! Clever, clever!!!!

That's 'cause it's just too good of an idea for one creative clever!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Anita...

My friend, I remember this great post...because since I have read it, I've begun to get those pretty decorative boxes from Hobby Lobby and have some of my tablescaping supplies stored in them! I just thought it was the grandest idea...and they are sooo pretty solution to dish storage! I love your black and white damask patterned boxes! Thank you so much for sharing this fabulous post with us for Sunday Favorites...it definitely deserved a second showing!!!

I also wanted to thank you for all of your sweet notes and well wishes for the SF "One Year" birthday celebration! I also really appreciate you displaying my giveaway button in your sidebar! I'm sooo happy that you came over and helped me celebrate! You're the best, my friend!!!

Have a wonderful day and best wishes with the gift card giveaway!

Chari @Happy To Design